Sigma’s dp1 Quattro camera is the second model in the line, a camera with an unusual accessory – a viewfinder that will magnify the camera’s LCD screen.

The dp1 utilizes a new, fixed 19 mm f/2.8 wide-angle lens (28 mm equivalent), specifically designed and optimized to pair with Sigma’s new Quattro sensor. One FLD glass element paired with two glass mold aspherical lenses minimizes aberration, says the company. An optimized telecentric design improves image quality throughout the frame to maximize the resolution power of the Foveon sensor.

Sigma dp1 top view, with accessory viewfinder attached

The Quattro sensor is a three-layered, panchromatic silicon chip. Each of the green-sensitive middle and red-sensitive bottom layers have 4.9-megapixels and record only colour/chrominance information. The top blue layer captures chrominance and resolution/luminance information with 19.6-megapixels. This, says Sigma, results in greater detail capture and resolution capabilities higher than the Merrill DP camera line.

The Quattro sensor’s architecture also contributes to true colour rendition and more detail capture, delivering even more realistic images as well as faster image processing, Sigma says.

About that new LCD View Finder (LVF-01), exclusively designed for the Quattro series of cameras . . . It attaches to the camera’s LCD display to eliminate outside light and features a diopter adjustment range from -2 to +1. It magnifies the LCD display 2.5 times, allowing photographers to check the focus more easily with enhanced clarity and visibility. The easy handling of the viewfinder is also said to help reduce camera shake.

But it does look a little strange when attached.

Pricing for the dp1 Quattro has not yet been announced, but availability is expected in December.